To wait, or not to wait.

[kingkung]

I'm planning on going to a reptile show the first weekend of November and was planning on getting a couple new geckos,I was looking for a super giant and something else to my collection and also another tank. I wanted to know if the prices are better at the shows vs. Not at the show?

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[Phantom240]

They vary a bit. Some breeders have great prices at shows, some not so much. I've noticed that a lot of breeders that have good prices and a large selection save their personal picks, and sell off the rest of the geckos that they don't want for breeding. That's fine by me though, because I just want a pet, not a top shelf breeder.

 

[kingkung]

Interesting, had anyone bought one from a show and bred? How were the results?

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[Phoenix1115]

I have. They were great because the one I bought was originally a hold back haha. and now I'm vending at a show with her babies

 

[kingkung]

Cool, so I guess it's worth checking out. I'm hoping there are going to be some well known breeders there.

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[acpart]

One big advantage from buying from a show is that you can see the geckos "in person" and can ask the breeder questions about the geckos' genetics. I provide all the genetic info in writing on the gecko's deli cup and absolutely expect that people are going to buy my geckos for the purpose of breeding. Gecko Time's next article (10/22) will be about "attending your first reptile show". Stay tuned.

Aliza

 

[Corey87]

A lot of breeder will also work with you on the price as well.

 

[GexPex]

Gecko Time's next article (10/22) will be about "attending your first reptile show". Stay tuned.

Aliza

DEFINITELY staying tuned for that

I also agree with going to the show to purchase. I've gotten several of my breeders from shows and absolutely love them. You get to see them in person and can get a better idea of their color, personality, and actual size. Many breeders post weights, but some don't always keep them updated. You can also see for yourself on how healthy they look. Again, some breeders won't always state any problems with the gecko (ie: missing toes, tail kink, overbite/underbite, extra eyelids/skin, etc.) Some of these won't be genetic, but it's best to know about it, just in case it is, and you can decide from there on whether or not you feel comfortable with breeding it. Shows also help eliminate the problems that arise from unreliable breeders not shipping when they were supposed to, shipping the wrong gecko, etc. Some say it saves from stressing the animal more, but this depends on how the gecko reacts to being at a show under bright lights for 1-3 days vs. shipping.

Whenever I spend good money on an animal, I prefer to see it for myself. But if there's a situation where it's from a reliable breeder and a good price and I need one with specific genetics/looks that I just haven't found at a show, then I'll go through buying online.

 

[kingkung]

Cool, thanks for the advice, I'm probably going to check out their super giants

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[Phantom240]

I want my next gecko to be a giant or super giant. They do have a show coming up in November.... Hmm...

 

[kingkung]

Yup me too, just the thought of a leopard gecko that is a foot long and weighing at 4-5 ounces is awesome to me. Ya there is a show in San Diego the first week of November, I'm going to be attending

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[Spencerg]

What show?

 

[kingkung]

The one in San Diego

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[SCGeckos]

Most shows have a website with a vendor list so you can see what breeders will be vending and also do a bit of research on other customers experiences with said breeder. This way, by the time the show rolls around you will know who to buy from and who to avoid. I will say that there are a ton of great breeders on the west coast so I am sure several of them will be vending but there are always a few that you may want to avoid.